Display machine



Nov. 26, 1935. A. E. OWEN I DISPLAY MACHINE FiledMay 12, 1934 4 Sheets-Shegt l Nov. 26, 1935. A;' E, EN 2,021,963

- DISPLAY MACHINE Filed May 12, 1934 v 4 Sheets-Shet 2 iii.

Nov. 26, 1935. E 2,021,963

DISPLAY MACHINE,

Filed May 12, 1934 I 4 Sheets-Sheet a Nov. 26, 1935.

A. E. OWEN 2,021,963

DISPLAY MACHINE Filed May 12, 1934 4 Sheets-Shet 4 Patented Nov. 26, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DISPLAY MACHINE Arthur'E. Owen, Chicago, Ill.

Application May 12, 1934, Serial No. 725,245

16 Claims.

My invention relates to a stereopticon or other display mechanism and particularly to the plate handling and shifting means for such devices.

Projection and display machines of this type as now known in the art comprise a box containing a lamp and lenses while the plate or slide handling and shifting mechanism is remotely spaced therefrom which results in a machine lacking compactness. Consequently such machines are awkward to transport or carry. Further the driving mechanism of the plate or slide shifting means is such that the slides or plates cannot conveniently be stored in the magazine of the machine during transport because they become easily dislodged. Due to their arrangement such machines also can project only in one direction.

It is desirable, therefore, to provide a machine that will be more compact to eliminate waste space so that the machine can be conveniently handled and carried around; and one in which the plates or slides may remain in the machine while it is being carried; and to provide a selflocking drive arrangement that will hold all parts, including the slides, securely in place while so handling the machine. I

Accordingly, the primary object of the invention is to provide plate changing and handling mechanism causing the plates to move around the light source and lenses, the plates being moved flatwise in a horizontal path of movement on opposite sides of the lamp and lenses and horizontally edgewise in front and back of the machine.

Another object is to provide such a machine which is capable of projecting pictures or the like in two opposite directions, either in both directions simultaneously, or in one direction at a time.

Still another object is to provide an improved form of driving mechanism for the plate changing means, said mechanism including special gearing forming an automatic lock for all moving parts and the plates when not operating, thus insuring when the loaded stereopticon is being carried around that no parts, or plates, will get out of place, or adjustment.

'A further object is to provide a very compact arrangement of the plate magazine, lenses, and lamp in the box containing these parts.

It is also an object to provide an improved form of shutter mechanism to cut off the projected light momentarily while the plates are being shifted from and to projecting position.

Other important objects will be apparent to those skilled in this art as the disclosure is more fully made.

Briefly, these desirable objects are achieved in the preferred example of the invention herein to be describe-d and illustrated by providing a suitable frame or box containing a plate or slide storage and handling magazine divided into two, horizontal, spaced parallel halves, one at each side of the frame or box. A predetermined number of conveyer screws are embodied in the split magazine to. carry and shift the slides fiatwise. One portion of the magazine moves the slides in one direction and the other half portion-moves the plates or slides flatwise in the opposite direction.

Across the front and rear ends of these screws are display or transfer bridges for supporting the slides, one at a time as they are shifted endwise across the projection opening from one magazine section to the other. Thus the slides move in a square, or rectilinear path within the frame or box. This compact arrangement permits location of the lenses and lamp within the path of movement of the slides. An improved drive is provided for the slide handling mechanism including gearing providing an automatic lock for all moving parts when the machine is not in use. A shutter mechanism is associated with the projector to cut oif the light during the slide changing operation. The compact arrangement thus generally described makes the machine convenient to carry or transport, even when loaded with slides; and, additionally makes it possible to project in two opposite directions at once. This is highly desirable if it is desired to place the machine in the center of a street car, for instance, for advertising and the like purpose.

In the sheets of drawings accompanying this application is shown a practicable example of my invention, wherein:

Figure 1 is a general plan view of the stereopticon with the top cover removed to illustrate the interior parts;

Figure 2 is an end elevational view showing the driving means and shutter mechanism;

Figure 3 is an end elevational view, similar to Figure 2, with the shutter removed to show the driving gearing, as viewed from the line 33 of Figure 1, and looking in the indicated direction;

Figure 4 is an end elevational view, partly in section as seen'along the line 4-4 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 5 is an end View, on a reduced scale showing the gearing that operates the slide shifting mechanism;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing the same parts in a diiierent position;

Figure 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 'I-'l of Figure 2 looking in the indicated direction with the lamp removed;

Figure 8 is a detail elevational view, on a reduced scale of the shutter mechanism; and,

Figure 9 is a fragmentary, detail View, in elevation, of the display bridge.

As shown in Figures 1 and 7 the stereopticon comprises a substantially rectangular box having end walls IE9 and II and side walls i2. A cover, not shown, is also provided to enclose the interior parts. The box thus formed is generally divided into three spaces A, B and C. Across each space A and B'the walls I I] and II carry an upper shaft I3 formed with a screw conveyer I 4 and below each shaft 53 is a pair of spaced, parallel shafts E5 in each space A and B, said shafts I5 also including screw conveyors I6. The spaces A and B constitute the slide magazine Which thus is split into two halves, arranged horizontally in parallelism and spaced apart by the compartment C. Individual, or separate, picture slides I? are arranged between each set of three screws I4 and 55 in each space A and B. Removable cross rods I8 hold the plates or slides in the magazine thus formed.

The walls Ill and II in line with the space C are provided with projection openings I9. Outwardly of each wall l3 and II above the openings I9 are a pair of spaced tubes in which are telescopically fitted, rods 2| that carry a plate 22 for mounting a projection or object lens 23.

Thus it will be seen that each wall ii) and II is the same in the respects mentioned to provide a double end projector as will presently more fully appear.

As shown in Figures 1 and 4, above each opening I9 the respective walls Ill, II, have secured thereto a transverse bridge guide piece 24 spanning the ends of the middle compartment C. Carried on the ends of these two pieces 24 are spaced, parallel, cross angle bars 25 (see also Figure 9) which serve as a means of delineating the respective spaces A, B andC. Each wall Iii and I I at the ends of the space C carries an upper bolt 26 and two lower spacedbolts 21. These bolts 26, 2'! carry appropriate clamping collars 26' and 21' for securely holding pairs of condensing lenses 28 in cross alinement with the openings I9 and projectors 23. A pair of cross frame pieces 29 are carried by the walls IE], I I as shown in Figure 4, to mount a socket support 30 for an appropriate electric lamp 3i, which extends upwardly in the space C between the lenses 28 and between the split magazine slide packs I! as shown. From this description it must now be appreciated that an exceedingly compact arrangement results from this relative positioning of the-parts, which arrangement uses all the space within the box in an efiicient mamier so that no waste space results. Consequently the size of the box may be reduced to minimum proportions.

A small electric motor 32, as shown in Figures 4 and 7, is located on a platform 33 in the space B below the plates l'i therein, said motor having a shaft 35 carrying a worm gear 35 driving a worm wheel 36 on a shaft 31. The shaft 3? drives a spur gear 38, in turn driving a gear 39 on a shaft 40 suitably journaled as shown. The other end of the shaft it carries and drives a gear GI, in turn driving a'gear 42 on a long shaft 43 journaled in brackets 44 mounted on the wall I!) at its inner side. The shaft 43 spans the space C and at eachend it carries and drives bevel gears 45 which drive bevel pinions 45-fast on II] and II as shown in Figure 3.

respective cross shafts 41 under the plates I I in the magazine, these shafts being journaled in the walls I0 and II. The shaft 41 in space A projects at one end through the wall II! and the shaft 41 in space B projects similarly through 5 the wall II. Each projected end of these shafts drives gearing mounted on the outer faces of the walls I0 and II which is identically the same except that one set of such driven mechanism is left and the other is right, For that reason it 10 will suffice to describe only one set and for that purpose reference is to be had to Figure 3 show- ;ing this driven mechanism on the wall II].

and carrying a diametrically disposed driving lever 50, one end of which is extended radially beyond the periphery of the wheel. This end carries a roller 5I adapted to engage in radial 20 slots 52 of a Geneva type intermittent stop gear 53 having actuated quadrants 54 to lock releasably withthe circular periphery of the wheel 48. This gear 53 is fast on a shaft 55 carried in the wall I0, said shaft also carrying fast thereon a rela- 25 tively large reduction spur gear 55, which drives a small gear 51 on a shaft to turn a blank wheel 58 on the same shaft. The purpose of the wheel 58 will presently appear.

The driver wheel 48 also causes the roller 5| :39 to engage at times in the slots 59 of a gear 60 similar to the gear 53 heretofore described, said gear 60 being fast on a shaftBI and turning a 7 large spur gear 62. This gear 62 drives a small gear 63 on the reduced end of the screw con- 35 I Veyer shaft I3 to drive the screw I4. Similarly 'at H! to the wall I9, said lever carrying the shoe.

The upper end of the lever 59 is carried in a slot I0 formed in a shutter plate II which plate is slidably mounted at its upper and lower edges .45 on a pair of rods I2 appropriately carried on end brackets 13 on-the wall I0. The lower end of the lever 69 is pivoted to a link 13a connected to a lever I4, above its fulcrum '15 at the other end of the wall ID. The upper end of the lever 14 is similarly mounted in a slot I6 in another shutter plate 11 also slidably mounted on the rods I2. These rods span the opening I9 to can'y the shutters at the proper time in light cutting off position with respect to the opening I9. This shutter arrangement just described for the wall I0 is also duplicated on the wall I I as will be read ilyunderstood. See also Figure 8. A spring 13' connects the lower ends of the two levers 59 and I4.

The wheel'58 carries an eccentric pin I8 to which is pivotally connected a link I9 in turn pivoted to a lever 80 above its fulcrum on the walls The upper end of the lever carries a projection 8I movable through an arcuate slot 82 in the walls I0 and I I to engage a slide H as will soon appear to shift the same endwise.

A bridge piece 83 spans the openings I9 at their lower edge, said pieces 83 being secured to the respective walls I0, I I in a manner similar to the upper bridge pieces 24 heretofore described. See Figures 'land 9. Also, as shown in Figure 4 similar rails 83' are arranged on the walls Ill, II between the ends of the screws I6. Suitable brace rods 84 are provided to brace the walls II], II as shown.

Looking to Figure I the pack of plates I1 is so arranged as to leave a space 85, about the thickness of a plate IT, at the upper endof the space B and in the space A a similar space 86 is provided at one end of the plate pack, and another space 81 at the other end thereof.

In operating the improved stereopticon the rods I8 are removed after suitable doors, not shown, in the end walls I2 are opened. The slides II are then arranged on the lower screw conveyers I8 and below the upper conveyers I4, these conveyers being vertically spaced in each compartment A and B the proper distance to receive the plates between their screw formations. The spaces 85, 86 and 81 must be left. By means of a switch, not shown, the motor 32 is turned on to operate the gearing described to turn the driver 48 on the wall I0 and the same driver 48 on the other opposite wall I I. Of course, before the motor is started the rods I8 and walls I2 are replaced to close the box. Also it will be understood that both drivers 48 turn oppositely and their direction of rotation is toward the center space C.

Considering the driver 48 onthe wall III, as shown in Figure 5, its arm 58 turns the wheel 53, gear 56, gear 51, wheel 58 to reciprocate link I9, and swing the arm 80 from the position of Figure 6 to that shown in Figure 5. The boss 8| thus shifts the slide I! in magazine 13 adjacent the wall II] over the rail 83 and off the screws I6 to the bridge 83 where said slide is in display position in compartment 0 in front of the'adjacent opening I9. While this endwise shift of said slide occurs the wheel 60 is held stationary and the screw conveyers I4 and I6 in compartment A are not driven. As soon as the plate or slide is in display position the arm 50 has moved to operate the wheel 60, gear 62, and gears 63, 84 'and 65 to operate the feed screws I4 and I6 in the space A. Thence, all plates I! in the magazine A shift flatwise one step due to the timing of the driving parts. By this time the wheel 58 has completed a revolution to move the arm 80 back to the position shown in Figure 6, there now being a space adjacent the wall I 0 from whence the slide I 'I was shifted from the magazine B. Assuming that a slide I! was already in display position at opening I9 in the wall III, the movement described will have caused said slide to be shifted over tothe space 81 (Figure 1) before the screws in magazine A are operated.

The gearing and shifting mechanism on the wall I I next operates in the cycle to shift a slide from the space 86 in magazine A to display position adjacent the opening I9 in the wall II The gearing on wall II next operates the screws in magazine B to shift'the whole pack of slides one step toward the wall II). In this fashion then the slides are shifted edgewise from the end of the magazine B across the display bridge 83 on wall Ill, thence flatwise with the pack in magazine A toward the wall II; thence edgewise again alongside the wall I I and across the bridge 83 and opening I9 and back to the pack of slides in the magazine B at the wall end I I.

In timed relation with the shifting edgewise of the slides across the bridge 83, the shutters I I, 11 are caused to operate; the arm 66 of thedriver 48 moving the lever 69, link I3 andlever "to accomplish this result. The timing is such that as a slide is about to shift the shutters close,

and when the shifted slide is in display position, the shutters open.

if it is desired to project only in one directionf one of the openings I9 can be closed off in any desirable manner and the adjacent projector lens 23 and carrier 22 can be easily removed by sliding it out of the carrier tubes 20.

The machine can be easily carried loaded with plates H as the gearing is such that the drive parts shown in Figure 3 look, when not operating, to hold all driven parts, including the plate packs, in fixed positions so that no part can accidentally become misplaced or be moved relative to any other part.

Further the arrangement, of passing the slides in a horizontal rectilinear path around the lamp and lenses is such that remarkable compactness results, making it possible greatly to reduce the size of stereopticons of this type. All of these features adapt the machine for installation in shallow places and easy portability.

While the present slide shifting mechanism has been particularly shown and described in association with a stereopticon, the mechanism is equally adaptable for advertising purposes in the shifting and display of plates carrying advertising. In such instance the projectors and condensing lenses would not be used. The lamp,

of course, could be retained to produce interesting lighting effects. Therefore, the present invention is not to be limited to a small size stereoptico-n in the respects just mentioned, foritcould be constructed in any desired size with apthat an improved stereopticon has been pro-"40 vided which achieves all of the desirable objects heretofore recited.

It is the intention to cover herein all such changes and modifications of the preferred example shown and described which do not depart from the spirit and scope of my invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is: v

1. A device of the class described comprising a box having a slide pack therein, conveyer screws for carrying the slides and shifting them in the pack flatwise, means on an end wall including a display opening and display means, a lamp at the side of the pack behind said opening and in line therewith, means to shift the 55 slides one at a time edgewise from the end of the pack to display position, a driver wheel including a lever, a Geneva wheel moved by the lever, means operated by the Geneva wheel to shift the plates edgewise, a second Geneva wheel "6 0 operated by the lever, and means to drive the feed screws from said second Geneva wheel to shift the slides flatwise.

2. A stereopticon comprising a box divided into three parallel side by side longitudinal spaces, a'65 a lamp and condenser lenses in the middle space, projector lenses carried by each end wall in line with the middle space, slide packs in the two side spaces, display means between the ends of the the end spaces in opposite directions, gear means embodying connections for shifting the slides edgewise at the ends of the packs from one pack traveling a path surrounding the lamp and con packs, means for shifting the slides flatwise in 'to the other across the disp-lay'means, said slides v tween the packs, conveyer screws for carrying denser lenses, and a shutter driven from said connections and operating in timed relation with the edgewise shifting of the slides to out 01f the display means during the edgewise shifting of the slides. V 7

3. A device of the class described comprising a box having side walls and an end wall; a pack of individual slides arranged horizontally adjacent each side and spaced laterally apart in parallelism to provide a middle space in the box, a lamp in said space, at least three feed screws for carrying and moving the slides flatwise in the packs, the slides in each pack moving in opposite directions, display means including a transfer bridge associated with the end wall in line with the middle space, and gear driven means including a to and fro swinging member for shifting the slides edgewise across the bridge from the end of one pack to the proximate end of the other pack.

.4. A device of the class described comprising a box having side walls and an end wall, a pack of individual slides arranged horizontally adjacent each side and spaced laterally apart in parallelism to provide a middle space in the box, a lamp in said space, at least three feed screws for carrying and moving the slides fiatwise in the packs, the slides in each pack moving in opposite directions, display means including a transfer bridge associated with the end wall in line with the middle space, gear driven swingable means for shifting the slides one at a time edgewise across the bridge from the end of one pack to the proximate end of the other pack, and

- means including a rotary driver for said screws and shifting means, said driver when idle serving as a positive lock to hold all moving parts including the slides in position.

5. A device of the class described comprising a box having side walls and an end wall, a pack of individual slides arranged horizontally adjacent each side and spaced laterally apart in parallelism to provide a middle space in the box, a lamp in said space, at least three feed screws for carrying and moving the slides flatwise in the packs, the slides in each pack moving in opposite directions, display means including a transfer bridge associated with the end wall in line with the middle space, swingable gear driven means for shifting the slides edgewise across the bridge from the end of one pack to the proximate end of the other pack, and a shutter operatively associated with the last mentioned means for movement in timed relation with the slide shifting means to out 01f the display means while a slide is moving across the transfer bridge.

6. A device of the class described comprising a box having a slide pack at each side thereof, display means on an end of the box between said packs, a lamp and condenser lens in the box bethe slides and shifting them in the pack flatwise, means to shift the slides one at a time edgewise from the end of one pack to display position, a driver wheel including a lever, a Geneva wheel moved by the lever, said means that shifts the plates edgewise being operated by the Geneva wheel, a second Geneva wheel operated by, the lever, and means to drive the feed screws from said second Geneva wheel to shift the slides flatwise as stated.

7. A device of the class described comprising a box having a slide pack at each side thereof, display means on an end of the box including a bridge associated with proximate ends of the packs, a lamp in the box betweenthe packs, conveyer means for carrying. the slides and shifting them in the pack flatwise, a member to shift the slides one at a time edgewise from the end of one pack over said bridge in the direction of the 5 proximate end of the other pack, a driver wheel, a stop motion gear driven by said wheel, means driven by said stop motion gear to operate the member that shifts the plates edgewise, and a second stop motion gear driven from said driver 10 wheel to operate the conveyer means.

8. A device of the class described comprising a box having a slide pack at each side thereof, display means on an end of the box including a bridge associated with proximate ends of the 15 packs, a lamp in the box between the packs, conveyer means for carrying the slides and shifting them in the pack flatwise, a member to shift the slides .one at a time edgewise from the end of one pack over said bridge in the direction of the 20 a box having a slide pack at each side thereof,

display means on an end of the boxincluding a bridge associated with proximate ends of the packs, a lamp in the box between the packs, at least three conveyer screws ror carrying the 35 slides in each pack and for shifting the slides flatwise, a driver wheel, an intermittently operable member driven by the wheel for operating said conveyer screws, and another intermittently operable member driven by the driver wheel and 40 having connections for shiftingthe slides one at a time from one pack over the bridge in the d rection of the other pack. 7

10. A device of the class described comprising a box having a slide pack at each side thereof, 45 display means on an end of the box including a bridge associated with proximate ends of the packs, a lamp in the box between the packs, at least three conveyer screws for carrying the slides in each pack and for shifting the slides 50 fiatwise, a driver wheel, an intermittently operable member driven by the wheel for operating said conveyer screws, a swingable member for shifting slidesedgewise from one pack over the bridge in the direction of the other pack, and 55 another intermittently operab-lemember driven by the driver wheel for operating said swingable member.

11. A device of the class described comprising a box having a slide pack at each side thereof, display means on an end of the box including a bridge associated with proximate ends of the packs, a lamp in the box between the packs, at least three conveyer screws for carrying the o5 slides in each pack and for shifting the slides flatwise, a driver wheel, an intermittently operable member driven by the wheel for operating said conveyer screws, a swingable member for shifting slides edgewise from one pack over the 70 bridge in the direction of the other pack, another intermittently operable member driven by the driverwheel for operating said swingable member, a movable shutter associated with the display means, and means operable from the driver wheel in timed relation to the movement of the swingable member for operating the shutter.

12. A device of the class described comprising a box having a slide pack at each side thereof, display means on an end of the box including a bridge associated with proximate ends of the packs, a lamp and condenser lens in the box between the packs, a driver wheel including a lever, rotary means for carrying each pack of slides and for moving them in one pack flatwise, said driver wheel operating said rotary means, a swingable member for shifting slides one at a time over the bridge from one pack toward the other pack, and intermittent gear means driven from said driver wheel for operating said swingable means.

13. A device of the class described comprising a double ended box having a slide pack at each side thereof, display means on each endof the box including a bridge between the ends of the packs, a lamp in the box between the packs, a driver wheel on each end of the box, screws for carrying the slide packs and for moving the slides flatwise in each pack and in opposite directions in the respective packs, an intermittent gear at each end of the box driven by the adjacent driver wheel, a swinging member at each end for moving the slides edgewise across each bridge. from one pack to the other, another intermittent gear at each end of the box driven from the adjacent driver wheel, and connections from said last mentioned intermittent gears to operate the proximate swinging member.

14. A device of the class described comprising a box having a slide pack therein, conveyer screws carrying the slides and for shifting them in the pack flatwise, means associated with an end wall including a display opening and display means, a lamp at the side of the pack behind said opening and in substantial line therewith, a continuously driven common rotary member, a member to shift slides in relation to the display means edgewise from said. pack, and intermittent rotary means driven by the common rotary member including connections for operating the screws and shifter member in timed relation to move the slides in the manner stated. 4

15. A device of the class described comprising a box having a slide pack therein, conveyer screws carrying the slides and for shifting them in the pack flatwise, means associated with an end wall including a display opening and display means, a lamp at the side of the pack behind said opening and in substantial line therewith, a continuously driven common rotary member, a member to shift slides in relation to the display means edgewise from said pack, and a pair of Geneva wheels driven from the common rotary member including connections for operating the screws and shifter member in timed relation to move the slides in the manner stated.

16. A device of the class described comprising a box having a slide pack therein, conveyer screws carrying the slides and for shifting them in the pack flatwise, means associated with an end wall including a display opening and display means, a lamp at the side of the pack behind said opening and in substantial line therewith, a continuously driven common rotary member, a member to shift slides in relation to the display means edgewise from said pack, intermittent rotary members driven by the common rotary member including connections for operating the screws and shifter member to move the slides in the manner stated, a movable shutter cooperable with the display means, and connections operable from one of the rotary members to move the shutter in timed relation to the edgewise shifting movement of the slides.

ARTHUR E. OWEN. 

